Lubricating apparatus



Sept' l, 931- H. J. MURPHY` LQBRICATI'NG APPARATUS Original Filed July 24 A mentor,

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H MW.

Patented sept. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOWAD J. MURPHY, r,011"IR'ltAIDINGy MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO ALEMITE CORPORATION, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF nnLAwAms:

LUBRICATLNG APPARATUS Continuation of application Serial No. 318,087, led July 24, 1919.' This application filed July 31, 1920.

Serial No. 400,314.

The chief object of this invention is `to provide a grease gun adapted to cooperate with a grease cup, in such manner that'the gun is adapted to be lguided by and rotated @j on the external surface of the cup, and,

when so guided and rotated, causes the opening of a gun valve controlling` the grease outlet of the gun. i

The invention alsor has for its ob]ect to provide certain improvements in the construction of the nozzle or outer end portion of the gun. y

This application is a continuation of my application Serial N o. 313,087, filed July 24th, 1919.

Of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this speciicationr- Figure 1 'is a side elevation, partly in section, of a grease gun embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-'2 of Fig. 1,

showing the piston advanced;

Fig. 3 is a slde elevation of a greasey cup, `adapted to cooperate with the gun, and a view partl in section of a carrying part to which t e cup is fixed;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the looking toward its outer end;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 of F ig. 4; Fig. 6 shows in section the grease cup and a portion of the gun engaged therewith, the gun being in position to inject grease into the cup; f-

Fig. 7 isa section on line 7-7 of Fig. 6; Fig. `8 is a section on line 8 8 of Fig. 6, looking toward the left;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bushgrease pup ing hereinafter described; and

rreceiving nipple having a grease inlet 13 at its outer end, the opposite end of the cup being attachable to a carrying part and provided with a grease outlet 14, which is preferably formed in a threaded. extension valve within the cup,

adapted to be inserted in a socket formed in an end of a vehicle spring, and provided with a grease duct 17 communicating with. the periphery of the bolt. f

The grease inlet 13 is circular and its margin is formed as a seat for a sealing part in the nozzle of the gun.

18 represents an inwardly displaceable adaptedy to close the inlet l13, the valve and the-seat formed by the inlet being preferably tapered, as shown by Figure 5.

The valve is adapted to be displaced inwardly into the cup, and is normally closed against its seat by a spring 19, as shown by Figure 5. v

The valve 18 is displaceable by a tubular part20, and the cup is provided with a c lindrical external surface adapted to guide and permit the rotation of the grease gun. On said external surface is an element of means for advancing the grease gun in such manner as to cause the tubular part 2O to displace the valve, as indicated by Figure A6.

The tubular part 20 is formed to enter the y grease inlet 13, and is provided with lateral outlet ports 21 which are normally closed by avalve, indicated as a whole by the numeral 22, held yieldingly in the position shown by Figure 2, by a spring 23. The cup as shown here has a pair of oppositelypro jecting and oppositely inclined lugs 24, projecting from opposite sides of the cup and formed to cooperate with helical slots 26 formed in a .tubular extension gun barrel 28, the arrangement being such that when the grease gun is moved endwise to engage its slots with the lugs 24, and then given a partial rotation, the gun is advanced endwise relatively to the fixed cup to the position shown by Figure 6', the tubular part 20 being thus caused to displace the valve 18,`and enterthe cup, so that its ports 21 communicate with the cup. The gun is now adapted to be Voperated by advancing its piston 29 by means of the vscrew-threaded pistbn-rod 30, engaged with a tapped socket of the grease p valve 22.

It will nowbe seen that the cup is adapted to engage a portion of the grease gun, and to cooperate with said portion in causingP an endwise advancement of the gun causing the simultaneous displacement of thexcup valve-18 and of the nozzle valve 22.

`A backward rotation of'the grease gun causes its disengagement from the cup and permits the closing of the cup valve 18 by its spring 19, and the closing of the nozzle `valve 22 by its spring 23.

It is obvious that the lubricating material may be relatively hard grease, .or a `fluid oil,

` the described constructionv being particularly adapted-for use with thev grease. The lugs 24 constitute the equivalent of quick pitch male' screw threads adapted to cooperate, in advancing a grease gun, with the equivalent of female screw threads formed by helical slots 26 in a part of the gun, the arrangement being suchthat a par- \,tial rotation of the grease gun on its longitudinal axis imparts an endwise movement of suiicienta'mplitude to the gun. One lug 24and`one slot 26 may be employed instead of two. l

The grease cup above described is set forth and claimed inl Letters Patent No. 1,335,521, dated.J March 30, 1920. f

The valve 22 is an annulus, the inner margin of which is in sliding Contact with the tubular part 20, and is formed to cover the grease outlet formed by theports 21. The outer margin of the valve-is in sliding contact with the internal surface of the tubular extension vof the greasegun barrel, so that the valve is 7jguided both at`1ts -inner and outer marglns.

The valve 22 is preferably composed of a plurality of washers, collectively constituting an annulus. As here shown, the valve includesv two metallic washers 220i and an intermediate washer 221) of compressible material such as leather, clamped between the washers 22a and having a flange 220 in sliding contact with the barrel extension. A washer 22d of leather, or other compressible material, may be secured to the outer surface of the outer washer 22a to contact with the head 13 ofthe cup and form a tight joint therewith. The part 20 presents a circular flange 20a which extends over a portion of the front Aface of. the compressible washer 4 '20a also serves as a seat against the valve,

when closed, and is urged under considerable pressure thereby presenting a seal which prevents escape of lubricant at this point. The diameter of this flange 22a, is less than the smallest diameter of the inlet 13 of the lubricant-receiving cup and, therefore, when the connection betweemthe nozzle and cup is completed, the annular head 31 of the cup presses back the valve and sealing part 22- providing a tight seal against the compressible washer 22d..

The barrel is provided with anl outer head 40 and with an inner head 41, the inner head being within the barrel extension, and carrying the tubular part 20.

The barrel is preferably composed of a tubular body portion, which is longer than the path of the piston 29, and a tubular bushing 42, which is inserted in and rigidly secured to one end of the body portion. Said bushing contains the slots 26 and is fixed at one end to -the inner head 41. The inner head may be provided with orifices 43 to permit grease to nd its way into the space between the inner head and the valve 22 and to return to the piston-containing portion of the barrel. vThus grease is admitted behind the `cup leather 22?), pressing against the rear face thereof and urging the sealing washer 22d under grease pressure into contact with the outer face of the lubricant-receiving cup or nipple 12. I have thus provided a lubricant-pressed sealing part which, when the nozzle and cup are being connected together, wil-l provide a tight joint preventing leakagebetween the nozzle and nipple or cup. This tight joint is provided even before the opening of the valve and there is therefore no opportunity for leakage either during connection or after the parts are fully connected and lubricant is being discharged from the nozzle of the lubricant gun to the lubricant-receiving `nipple or cup. Where, as in the preferred form of mywinvention illustrated, the lubricantpressed sealing part is reciprocable, any pressure7 on the lubricant remaining in the barrel when disconnection between the gun and cup'is effected will tend to cause the grease to follow up the'sealing washer and maintain a tight joint until the valve is closed. In theabsence of lubricant pressure behind the sealing part, the spring 23 provides suiiicient pressure to insure a tight joint and the spring 23 at all times assists the pressure of the lubricant in maintaining a tight joint, this feature being particularly desirable where the gun is used for very fluid lubricant such as oil as distinguished from heavier greases.

p ing below said shoulder.

cant-receiving cup or nipple, which sup-4 ports the barrel 28, rendering the apparatus operable by a single hand of the operator. In the apparatus illustrated, coupling, sealing and valve opening are all eHected in the order named by torque on the handle or barrel of the gun, while torque on the handle of the gun tending to expel lubricant tendsI to increase the effectiveness of the seal between the nozzle and cup, not only by increasing the pressure of the lubricant, but

by tending to twist the barrel and nozzlel in coupling direction so that the projections or sectional threads 24 on the nipple (Fig. 4) will tend to ride up the female threads on the interior of the nozzle.

In Fig. 10, I have shown a part adapted4 to be used in making up a gun for use where the nozzle is atV right angles of the axis of the barrel of the gun, in`which case the valve mechanism ordinarily contained in the barrel or in alignment with the barrel will be contained in a cylindrical portion corresponding to the y(sleeve 42 but at `right angles to the barrel, while the opposite endof the angled part may be soldered or otherwise properly secured within rthat portion of the barrel ordinarily occupied by .the sleeve 42. In using this modication of my invention, coupling and uncoupling are effected by swinging the barrel in a plane passing through its axis and at right angles to the axis of the cup.

The outer head 40 is provided with an annular flange 45, havinga shoulder 46 abutting against the outer endsof the bar'el,l

and an internally threaded ortion projecte head 40 and the outer portion of the flange 45, above the shoulder 46, form a piston-receiving chainber outside the barrel. The piston is formed bestored in said chamber whenfully retracted as. shown by Figure 1. lVhen the piston is thus stored, the internally-threaded portion of the flange 45 may be engaged with vthe external thread of the barrel before the piston contacts with a charge of grease entirely filling the barrel. This engagement prevents radial displacement by the piston of any of the greasepfrom the filling opening or mouth of the barrel andthe soiling of the external surface of the barrel, during the operation of applying the outer head and the piston to the barrel.

It will be seen that as a result of the construction last described, the cylindrical in'- ternal surface of the piston-receiving portion or chamber is substantially flush with, or

a continuation of, the internal surface barrel,

so that when the piston is moved into the barrel from the .position shown by Figure 1, the

perimeter of the piston -slides freely into the barrel without liability of being obstructed by the outer end of the barrel, which liability would exist if the cylindrical internal surface of the piston-receiving porv tion were offset outwardly from the internal surface of the barrel, in which case the outer end of the barrel would form an annular shoulder, liable to engage and arrest the piston, the flatter being'under compression and having a tendency to expand.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of one embodiment of myinlconnection for preventing leakage of lubricant when the nipples are removed therefrom, means cooperating between said connection and said nipples whereby said connection may be attached to a nipple by relative rotation of the two to prevent separation of 'the same by relatively non-rotary movement under the pressure of the lubricant created 1 by said pressure gun, and means cooperating between said valve and the nippleA whereby when said connectlon 1s attached to the nipple said valve will be opened to permit the passage of lubricant into the nipple, and a lubricant pressed seal for the joint between .the nipple and the connection.

2. In a.lubricating system for injectlng greaseor oil under relatively-high pressure into machine bearings through nipplesassociated with said bearings, they combina-` tion of a pressure grease gun having a lubricant delivery connection adapted to recelve said nipples, a pressure-retaining valve 1n said connection, means cooperating between said connection and said nipples whereby said -connection may be attached to a nipple by relative rotation of the two to prevent separation of the same by relatively nonrotarymovement under'` the pressure of the lubricant created by Asaid pressure gun, means` cooperating betweenthe end of the nipple and theH pressure retaining valve for opening the latte-r when the connection is Vattached to the nipple, a seal cooperating with the valve operating means to seal the .vention, itwill be understood that changes joint between the lubricant receiving member and the connection when the valve is open, and check valves for retaining the lubricant in the nipples..

' 3. Lubricating apparatus for injecting grease or oil under relatively high pressure into machine bearings through nipples associated with said bearings comprising, in combination,\a lubricant-expelling pressure grease gun having a valve and a coupling for attachment to the nipples to prevent separation thereof by direct axial movement under the pressure of the lubricant created by said gun at itsl discharge end, said coupling axially receiving said nipples and including interiorly thereof reciprocable means having a rearwardly extending i'lexible iange for receiving the pressure of the lubricant during expulsion of lubricant by said gun, said means providing a tight joint with the outer end of said nipple throughout the entire period when said valve is open duriig and after completion of the j coupling operation and during the uncoupling operation.

4. In a pressure. lubricating system for injecting grease or oil'under relatively high pressure into machine bearings through nipplesassociated with said bearings, the combination of a lubricant-expelling pressure grease gun, said lubricant-expelling gun car- -jrying at one end a generally aligned coupling for engagement with said nipples, said coupling having a valve and including a reciprocable spring and lubricant-pressed sealing washer for engagement with the outer face of said nipple, said gun rotatable relative to said nipples to produce movement of said gun toward said nipples thereby to couple it to a nipple and to provide a tight joint between said nipple and washer and for opening said valve.

5. Ina lubricating system, a lubricantreceiving nipple, a gun having a barrel and piston,y a handle at the rea of said barrel for moving said piston reljive to said barrel to expel the` contents of said barrel, a nozzle at the forward end of said barrel, saidv nozzle and nipple having means for coupling the two by bodily rotation of said barrel to prevent their separation by direct axial movement' of said nipple relative to said coupling under the pressure'of the lubricant created by rotation of said handle relative to said barrel, a lubricant escape port in said nozzle and means operable by the coupling operation for sealing the joint between said nozzle'and nipple prior to completionv of the coupling operation and for opening said port.

6. In a lubricating system for injecting grease oroil under relatively high pressure into machine bearings through nipples associated with said bearings, the combination of a pressure grease gun having a lubricant `same by relatively non-rotary nection, means for moving said Amembers toward each other for opening said valve, and means for sealing the connection between saidy nipples and said connection before said valve is opened.

7. In a lubricating system for injecting grease or oil punder relatively high pressure into machine bearings through nipples associated with said bearings, the combination of a pressure grease gun having a lub-' ricant delivery connection adapted to receive said nipples, said connection compris ing a coupling means for making a quickly A detachable connection with said nipples by relative rotation of the two to prevent sepas ration of the same by relatively non-rotary movement under the pressure of the lubricant created by said pressure gun, said connection having two relatively `movable members, a-.valve for controlling the passage of lubricant through said connection, means for moving said members relatively to each other for opening said valve, and means for sealing the connection between said nipples and said connection before said valve is opened. d

8. Ina lubricating system for injecting grease or oil under relatively high pressure into machine bearings through nipples associated with said bearings, the combination of a pressure grease gun having a lubricant delivery connection adapted to receive said nipples, said connection having a coupling means for making a quickly detachable connection with said nipples byV relative rotation of the two to prevent separation of the movement under the pressure of the lubricant created by said pressure gun, anormall closed valve for preventing-passage of lubricant through said connection; and means for successively connecting said connection withsaid nipples, opening said valve, closing said valve, and disconnecting said connection from said nipples and a sealing means in said connection effective to seal the joint between said connection andvnipples before said valve is opened. c

9. Ina pressure lubricating system, for injecting'g'rease or oil under relatively. high pressure into machine bearings through nipples associated with said bearings, said nipples each having a lubricant-receivin aperature at one end thereofI and later projections, and a lubricant-expelling gun having a coupling at `its discharge end for engagement with said nipples and providing a sealing part reciprocable relative to said gun forengagement with the outer face of a nipple, inclined means actuated by turn-A ing of said grease gun `for-pressing together said sealing part and the nipple to prevent leakage therebetween and a screw-threaded stem for actuating expulsion of lubricant from said gunl by turning movement in the sameodirection which actuates pressing to'- gether of said sealing part and the nipple by said inclined means. v f J 10. In a pressure lubricating s stem for injecting grease or oil under relatively high pressure into machine bearings through nipples associated with said bearings, a lub- -ricant-expelling gun providing a nozzle 2o adapted to receive the outer end of said nipples, said nipples and nozzle having cooperating cam means for translating rotary movementeof said gun into reciprocatory movement thereof during passage of saidI nozzle over a nipple, a sealing part in said nozzle for'providing a tight seal with said nipples, and a valve in said nozzle openable to admit lubricant to the nipple only pur? suant to the provision of such tight seal.

11. A lubricant gun havingga lubricantcontaining barrel, lubricant-expelling means including a piston in said barrel and a threaded stem rotatable in a nut connected to said barrel for actuating lubricant-expelL. ing movement of said piston, a coupling rig; idly secured to said barrel, said coupling presentingV steep pitch threads for engagement with projecting male means on a lubricant-receiving nipple, a reciprocable seal- 40 ing part above said threads and for engagement with theouter face of the lubricant,

receiving nipple, said reciprocable sealing:

part having a flexible peripheral ange extending towavd said barrel and adapted to receive the pressure of the lubricant in said barrel, a port opened and osed in response to movement of said seling part toward and from said barrel, said threadedstem andsaid steep pitch threads cooperating to effect wpcoupling and lubricant expulsion by torque on said stem in one direction and said sealing part normally yieldingly pressed in a direction tending to effect closure of said valve and tending to provide a tight sealA against the lubricant-receiving nipple when the valve is opened by said nipple. p

12. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in

combination, a lubricant-receiving nipple presenting peripherally extending male porw tions, a lubricant-expelling gun having a barrel, a coupling connected to said barrel at one end, a lubricant-eipelling piston, anda threaded stem and han le projectin from the opposite end of said barrel, plura steep 5 pitch threads in said coupling for engagement with said male portions, a valve in said nozzle, a lubricant-pressed sealing part in said nozzle for forming a tight seal against saidi lubricant-receiving nipple while permitting. passage of lubricant thereto, coupling movement between said steep pitch threads and saidmale -portions on said nipple, and also lubricant-expelling movement of said handle relative ,to said barrel being eifected vby torque on, vsaid handle in the same direction.

.13. -In a lubricating system for injecting grease or oil under relatively high pressure into machine bearings through -n1pples associated with said bearings, the combination of a compression grease gun for supplying lubricant tosaid nipples, said gun having a coupling member for connection to said nipples, said nipples and coupling member liaving co-acting means for connecting said nipples and coupling member upon an initial rotation of said coupling member relatively to said nipples, a valvecontrolling the flow of lubricant from said gun to said nipples, means for opening said valve upon continued rotation of said coupling member rela-V tively to said .lubricant receptacle, and means for sealing the joint between said coupling member and nipples prior to opening of said-valve.

' 14. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a lubrlcant receiving nipple and lubricant supply means including a lubricant containing barrel, a lubricant expelling plunger reciprocable therein, a 100 screw-threaded stem for actuating said plunger to expel the lubricant from said barrel when said stem is rotated in one direction, and a valved coupling rigidly connected to said barrel adjacent its discharge 105 end, said valved coupling presenting connecting means for effecting a coupling with said nipple, a4 sealing part for effecting a tight seal with said nipple and a valve openable pursuant to the effecting of such tight 110 seal betweensaid sealing part and said nipf' ple, the operation ofN said connecting means,

of said sealing means and of said valve all actuated by`4 rotation of said barrel in that ,pel' lubricant Afrom said barrel.

Y'15. A lubricant gun presenting a barrel having a manually actuated plun er for expelling lubricant therefrom and aving inllexibly connected thereto a valved coupling presenting a sealing part for effecting a tight seal with a lubricant receiving nipple, and valve means presenting a lubricant conducting passage openable by'movement of saidsealing partpursuant to provision of a tight seal. between said sealing part and the lubricant receiving nipple. l 16. A lubricant compressor' ofwk the class described including a discharge nozzle having a passage therethrough,` and adapted to form a quick detachable connection with a lubricant receiving nipple and comprising a reciprocable "sealing member for making a seal with the lubricant receiving nipple, a valve normally closing the passage through saidY nozzle and having a reciprocable part, said reciprocable part operatively connested to said sealing member to open said valve only after slight movement of said member, and resilient means for closing said valve and urging said sealing member outwardly in said nozzle.

In testimony whereof, I have signed myl name to this specification,

HOWARD J. MURPHY. 

